Keonjhar, Oct. 1 (UDN): Several sacks of rice and a number of ration cards were found abandoned in a forested area near Barbil in Odisha’s Keonjhar district, triggering concern among local residents and prompting an official inquiry.
The materials were discovered in the forest behind Barbil Adarsh Vidyalaya and the grid station. The circumstances surrounding the dumping of the rice sacks and ration cards, including who left them there and for what purpose, remain unclear.
Enquiry Team Formed
Officials initiated an inquiry after receiving information about the abandoned materials. A team has been constituted to examine the matter and establish the source of the rice and ration cards.
According to the preliminary findings, the rice recovered from the sacks does not appear to be PDS rice, said officials. The investigation is continuing to determine whether the materials are linked to any irregularity in the public distribution system or have another origin.
Locals Seek Detailed Investigation
The discovery has raised questions among residents, who have called for a thorough probe into the incident. They have sought clarity on the ownership of the ration cards, the source of the rice and how the materials came to be dumped at the location.
Keonjhar Chief Supply Officer Pabitra Kumar Sahu said an inquiry team was formed immediately after officials received the information.
He said the investigation was underway and that the preliminary assessment had found the rice in the sacks was not PDS rice.
Officials are expected to examine the recovered materials and other available evidence as part of the ongoing inquiry.